With the goal of simplifying

ranchers’ profit equation,

Red Angus continues blazing

new trails in the pursuit of

providing commercial producers

with concise genetic predictions.

The Ranchers’ Guide to EPDs

Profitable. Simple. Sustainable.

Based on the concept of Economically Relevant

Traits (ERTs), producers are equipped with tools that

allow for selection on traits that directly impact prof-

itability. These tools simplify the selection process,

and arm producers with the ability to better identify

range bulls whose genetics will more positively

impact profitability.

Red Angus delivers technology in a producer-friend-

ly package. Red Angus’ inclusion of genomic data

into EPDs provides genetic predictions with unsur-

passed dependability. Expressing these EPDs on a

multi-breed base allows for simplified selection deci-

sions regardless of desired breed composition.

EPDs are the most reliable predictors of an ani-

mal’s true genetic merit. As the only major beef

breed to mandate Total Herd Reporting (THR), Red

Angus EPDs have the built-in advantage of being

calculated from 20 years of complete contemporary

group data. EPDs have “fast-tracked” beef cattle

improvement and removed much of the guesswork

associated with selecting range bulls.

EPDs predict differences in progeny perform-ance, and are calculated from comparisonswithin Contemporary Groups. (A group ofcalves that were born in the same year, calv-ing season, herd, and are of the same sex andwere fed and managed alike.)

EPDs have a clear advantage over less sophisticated

predictors such as actual weights or within-herd ratios.

Actual and adjusted weights are affected by environment,

nutrition and management. Contemporary group ratios

are an improvement, as they account for these environ-

mental variables. However, they do not incorporate com-

parative performance data on related individuals in count-

less herds throughout the country. Red Angus EPDs

account for these sources of variation in performance as

well as mating bias (which cows were bred to which

bulls). The power of these genetic predictions is multiplied

by including every contemporary group from herds in the

entire Red Angus breed.

Compare EPDs across breeds.

All animals in Red Angus and Simmental’s multi-breed

database are described using the same language. That

is, their EPDs are published on the same multi-breed

base and scale. Selection for Growth (BW, WW, YW,

Milk) and Carcass (MARB, YG, CW, REA, FAT) EPDs will

be greatly simplified as commercial customers will be able

to directly compare these EPDs across breeds, as well as

registered hybrids/composite seedstock.

Absolute performance is not predictable... Relative

performance is. For Example: Suppose your old herd

bull has a yearling weight EPD of 50. You buy a new bull

with a yearling weight EPD of 70. How much will the

new bull boost your calves’ yearling weights?

The Answer...

We cannot predict how much performance will change

from one year to the next because of varying environ-

mental conditions (rainfall, temperature, available feed-

stuffs, etc). However, we do know this: the calves raised

in the same contemporary group sired by your new bull

will have the genetics to weigh an average of 20 pounds

more at 365 days of age as compared to calves sired by

the old bull.

EPDs: What, Why & How?

Understanding ACCURACYRed Angus EPDs are often presented with a corresponding accuracy value, which measures the strength of the

relationship between the genetic prediction (EPD) and true genetic value. Accuracies are reported as a decimal

number from zero to one. As accuracy value approaches 1.0, the EPD is "accurately" or closely estimating the

true genetic merit of an animal for a given trait. Although low-accuracy EPDs are less reliable when compared

to those of proven sires, independent research demonstrates EPDs to be the most meaningful indicator of

animals’ true genetic merit. While "perfect" accuracies of 1.0, are never achieved, many heavily used

Red Angus sires have accuracies greater than 0.9 (some as high as .99).

EPDs are only as good as the data used to calculate

them. This fact led Red Angus to implement Total

Herd Reporting (THR) over two decades ago, and

Red Angus continues to be the only breed associa-

tion to mandate THR for the collective Red Angus

cowherd. In a nutshell, THR requires the annual pro-

duction of every Red Angus cow and the performance of

every calf raised through weaning to be reported.

Only THR allows for the accurate calculation of fertility

and longevity traits, which are the largest drivers in

cowherd profitability. With THR, we know which daugh-

ters that were exposed to breeding delivered a calf. With

THR, we can better predict which bulls’ daughters are

able to bring a calf to the weaning pen year after year.

Ranchers make more accurate selection decisions and

ultimately more profit when they buy bulls whose EPDs

are backed by THR.

THR Data.

Genomic Data.

Multi-Breed Data.

Rancher-Trusted EPDs.

Jump Starting Accuracy

Red Angus’ strong foundation of THR data combines with

genomic data from 50K tests to provide EPDs with

unsurpassed reliability. The information gained from

genomic data can be as informative as a bull’s first calf

crop, or a cow’s lifetime production record. There’s noth-

ing new to learn - this powerful combination of informa-

tion will simply be delivered to producers in the form of

higher accuracy EPDs.

Recognizing the importance of heterosis to the success

of the beef industry, Red Angus partnered with the

American Simmental Association in forming International

Genetic Solutions (IGS). Through IGS, Red Angus stake-

holders who utilize crossbreeding are provided with true

multi-breed EPDs that are calculated using the merged

databases of Red Angus, Simmental, Gelbvieh and

Limousin. This collaboration allows for the precise deter-

mination of heritable genetics and delivers that informa-

tion to producers in the form of EPDs that can be directly

compared, regardless of breed composition.

Cowherd - Building Profit starts atReproduction!Placing selection pressure on traits that will have a direct impact on

your marketed product (weaned calves, yearlings, carcasses sold in

the meat) can certainly increase your revenue on a per-calf basis.

However, in order to achieve the higher goal of increased revenue per

cow exposed, selection pressure must be placed on cowherd-building

traits.

Red Angus' commitment to Total Herd Reporting allows for the meas-

urement of each female’s lifetime production history; from being

exposed to breeding as a yearling, to measuring females’ productive

lifespan. Implementing these tools into your selection decisions will

have a long-term impact on your operation’s profitability.

Calving Ease Direct (CED) - predicts the probability of calves being born

unassisted out of 2-year-old heifers. Producers want live calves - born unas-

sisted. Selecting on actual birth weight is flawed; it is influenced by non-genetic

factors such as nutrition and weather (ambient temperature). While BW EPD

removes these non-genetic factors, Red Angus’ CED EPD is the best predictor of

calving ease. The CED EPD includes variation in BW plus other influential genetic

factors such as gestation length, calf shape, etc.

Heifer Pregnancy (HPG) - predicts the probability of heifers conceiving

to calve at two years of age. Many breeds offer genetic predictions of yearling

bull scrotal circumference as an indicator of age of puberty. While puberty is a

prerequisite, many factors influence pregnancy rate. Red Angus’ HPG EPD offers

a tool which selects for what is economically relevant to ranchers - pregnant

heifers.

Calving Ease Maternal (CEM) - predicts the probability of a given ani-

mal's daughters calving unassisted at two years of age. Replacement heifers

should be able to calve on their own. Red Angus' CEM EPD offers the industry's

most reliable prediction to address that concern. It includes not only the predispo-

sition for a female to calve unassisted, but also her contribution to her calf's traits

(birth weight, calf shape, etc.) that make it more likely to be born unassisted.

Maintenance Energy (ME) - predicts differences in daughters’ mainte-

nance energy requirements and is expressed in Mcal/Month. Recognizing

that 70% of cowherd feed costs are burned up in maintaining weight and condi-

tion, Red Angus’ ME EPD allows for the selection of bulls whose daughters will

require less feed; thus, reducing cowherd expenses. Include selection pressure

for ME EPD to ensure feed costs don’t get out of line when selection is made for

greater performance and production.

Top 50%

Top 25%

Top 10%

CED EPDs 5 8 10

Top 50%

Top 25%

Top 10%

HPG EPDs 10 11 13

Top 50%

Top 25%

Top 10%

CEM EPDs 4 6 8

Top 50%

Top 25%

Top 10%

ME EPDs 1 -3 -6

EPD percentiles reflect non-parent animals under two years of age

Traits

Top 50%

Top 25%

Top 10%

STAY EPDs 10 12 14

Red Angus’ Stayability (STAY) EPD is a selection tool to

improve overall cowherd efficiency through reducing

replacement rate. Cows that stay productive, are prob-

lem free and last longer mean a larger percentage of

heifers can be cash cropped, instead of developed as

replacements.

How is Stayability EPD Calculated?

THR provides the foundation for a reliable Stayability

EPD. Once a female enters the productive cowherd she

is monitored annually for her productive ability. Only

Excel in Stayability...Excel in Profitability!

Improving Stayability enhances cowherdprofitability by increasing the percentageof females that deliver pounds and valueto the weaning pen without extra labor orfeed – and do it year after year.

Stayability (STAY) – predicts the proba-

bility of a bull’s daughters remaining pro-

ductive until at least six years of age.

Why six? That’s how long it takes a female

to breakeven given all the expenses of

development.

females that produce a calf every year up until at least

six years of age are given a positive observation.

Females that miss a calf or are culled for any reason

including soundness, production, disposition, body condi-

tion, etc. are given a negative observation.

Mandatory collection of Stayability observations from all

Red Angus herds provides ample data for the prediction

of a bull’s ability to sire Ranch-Tested – Rancher-Trusted

cowherds.

EPD percentiles reflect non-parent animals under two years of age

Traits that add weight to your bank account! Realizing the vast majority of commercial operations’ revenue comes from the

sale of pounds, Red Angus strives to provide industry-leading genetic predic-

tions for growth. This can only be achieved through the implementation of

Total Herd Reporting. Red Angus further ensures the reliability of perform-

ance data through the use of data filters, which eliminates data outside bio-

logical norms. The net result of these efforts - no surprises on pay day.

Birth Weight EPD (BW) predicts

the difference, in pounds, for birth

weight, and is also used in the calcu-

lation of Red Angus' Calving Ease

Direct (CED) EPD.

Weaning Weight EPD (WW)predicts the difference, in pounds,

for weaning weight (adjusted to age

of dam and a standard 205 days of

age). This is an indicator of growth

from birth to weaning.

Yearling Weight EPD (YW) pre-

dicts the expected difference, in

pounds, for yearling weight (adjusted

to a standard 365 days of age). This

is an indicator of growth from birth to

yearling.

Milk EPD (MILK) predicts the differ-

ence in maternal production of an

individual animal's daughters as

expressed by the weaning weight of

their calves.

Top 50%

Top 25%

Top 10%

BW EPDs -1.3 -2.7 -6.2

Top 50%

Top 25%

Top 10%

WW EPDs 57 64 71

Top 50%

Top 25%

Top 10%

YW EPDs 89 101 112

Top 50%

Top 25%

Top 10%

MILK EPDs 20 23 26

EPD percentiles reflect non-parent animals under two years of age

Marbling Score (MARB) - predicts differences for carcass marbling

score as expressed in marbling score units. Higher marbling scores are pos-

itively correlated with higher carcass quality grades.

Yield Grade (YG) - predicts differences in USDA Yield Grade score

and is expressed in USDA Yield Grade units. YG EPD is calculated using the

genetic predictions of CW, REA and FAT EPDs. The reliability of Red Angus’ YG

EPD is enhanced by using both ultrasound and actual carcass data in the calcu-

lation of REA and FAT EPDs.

Carcass Weight (CW) - predicts differences in hot carcass weight

and is expressed in pounds. Because Red Angus’ CW EPD is a multi-trait

model which includes birth, weaning and yearling weight data, the prediction is

not subject to culling bias. Thus, it provides a more reliable EPD as compared

to only using actual carcass weights. This computation allows for the use of

weights taken on ~57,000 animals per year as compared to only ~1,500 ani-

mals per year with actual carcass weight observations. Increased Carcass

Weight tends to detrimentally affect Yield Grade; the calculation of which also

includes Rib Eye Area and Fat Thickness.

Rib Eye Area (REA) predicts differences of carcass Rib Eye Area

between the 12th and 13th rib. Increased Rib Eye Area has a beneficial effect

on Yield Grade which also includes Carcass Weight and Fat Thickness.

12th Rib Fat Thickness (FAT) predicts differences for carcass fat

depth over the 12th rib, as expressed in inches. Increases in fat thickness

has a detrimental effect on Yield Grade.

Bred-in Carcass Value...Red Angus is preferred among producers

who retain ownership of their calf crop.

Top 50%

Top 25%

Top 10%

MARB EPDs 0.45 0.59 0.71

Top 50%

Top 25%

Top 10%

YG EPDs 0.02 -0.04 -0.09

Top 50%

Top 25%

Top 10%

REA EPDs 0.12 0.24 0.35

Top 50%

Top 25%

Top 10%

CW EPDs 21 29 37

Top 50%

Top 25%

Top 10%

FAT EPDs 0.00 -0.01 -0.03

This demand is driven from consistent feedyard

performance combined with reaping premiums

from value-based grids. Furthering the mission

of providing genetic predictions that directly

impact producer profitability, Red Angus recently

added Carcass Weight (CW) and Yield Grade

(YG) to its arsenal of ERTs. Incorporation of

these selection tools have the power to take

your profitability to the next level.

EPD percentiles reflect non-parent animals under two years of age